Coromandel MP Scott Simpson says a lack of 'decisive plan” from Waka Kotahi to get SH25A reopened 'continues to frustrate and anger local residents and visitors”.

Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi says they are in the process deciding between three proposed solutions 'as quickly as possible”.

The highway is one of the main routes to the Thames-Coromandel region. It was closed in January after the formation of deep cracks and slips following ex-Cyclone Hale.

'It has been three months since the Kopu-Hikuai highway closed, but we still have no idea when the road will be reopened,” says Simpson.

'People have been patient, but the lack of decision, let alone a start on the work to get the road re-opened is deeply concerning."

Coromandel MP Scott Simpson. File Photo.

'NZTA are meant to be making an announcement about SH25A in May, but three months has been far too long to wait and is indicative of the lack of urgency to fix SH25A.

'Our communities are resilient, but I have spoken to many businesses who are at their breaking point. Everyone is suffering and we desperately need to some positive action.

'Any solution that does not get the Kopu-Hikuai reopened by Christmas simply is not good enough, because the prospect of a fourth devastating summer for our region is too awful to contemplate.”

Waka Kotahi agrees the work to repair SH25A 'is a high priority”.

Damage to SH25A in Coromandel. Photo: Tom Taylor/RNZ.

'Following the devasting impacts of multiple storm events this year, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is focused on restoring vital access to the Coromandel as soon as possible,” says a Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

'Beyond the initial emergency response, our focus also includes long-term solutions so that State Highway 25 and SH25A remain resilient.

'We acknowledge that Coromandel residents, businesses and visitors are very concerned about how long it will take to rebuild SH25A. While SH25A is closed, Waka Kotahi is acutely aware of the sacrifices locals, businesses and communities are having to make. The inaccessibility, extra travel time, increased travel costs, access to healthcare, impacts to freight, businesses, tourism and day-to-day life are front of mind for everyone working on this project.

'We have a dedicated team of project managers and consulting engineers focused on delivering a robust solution that can be built as quickly as possible. This team is actively working through three options for a long-term solution. Each one is being investigated in parallel so we can go as quickly as possible, and readily move to the preferred option's detailed design and construction. The right option can only be confirmed when the risks, costs, form and time required to build each option have been assessed.

'The critical task of geotechnical investigations was completed earlier this month and we are now analysing the information to identify the optimum solution that enables the route to be open as soon as possible.”

Option 1 – Bypass

'The geotechnical information gathered showed a northern bypass option, shifting the road well away from the slip face, would need substantial digging out and removing around 300 to 400,000m3 of soft soils off site before any work on building a road could start. There are other complexities to be factored in this option, including ecological impacts and lack of sites in the Coromandel to take the soil material.

"A bypass closer to the slip face is another option. It would bring in a few more corners into the new road alignment and involve rebuilding an embankment with a mixture of cut into the banks above and filling over the slip below with rock fill.

"The old slip material – both new and historic layers – would also have to be removed and doing this task in winter would have to be factored into the programme. The design, factors of safety of the stability of the slopes above, and safety and ecological impact of the proposed road re-alignment are currently being assessed."

Option 2 – Bridge

"At this stage, the information and advice gathered so far is showing that a steel bridge (rather than a bridge with concrete beams) could be the fastest to construct.

"We are looking for time saving options such as precast deck elements and long beams that are not too heavy to reduce the number of time-consuming piles to be installed.

"The smaller the crane we need to lift the beams the better; as building a stable crane platform on weak soil, and forming an access to them, will be time consuming."

Option 3 – Retaining wall

"Development of the retaining wall option to re-form the road embankment is well underway in parallel. The soils were tested on Monday 17 April 2023 to better understand the ground conditions – this will be key in deciding if rebuilding embankments are viable options or not.

"All three options have varying challenges which are being weighed up, and Waka Kotahi is committed to delivering a solution as quickly as possible. Expediting delivery will be given a high weighting for the option selection. The options assessment will be completed and a preferred option confirmed in May."